HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_09_14 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes
Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
2021.0914 Collab Meeting Notes
Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
Meeting Notes, September 14, 2021
(Meeting Live, Hommocks Ice Rink Community Room 6pm – 8pm)
Attendees: Mitch Green, Jeff King, Sue Odierna, George Roniger, Arlene Novich, Michelle Lewis, Frank Owens,
Mark Kramer, Karen Khor, Eliza Pertz, Elizabeth Poyet and intern Sebastian Gold
Notes of August 2021 meeting were accepted.
MINIMIZE WASTE
Repair Café
George Roniger updated us that he now has volunteers for all listed tables. He asked Sue to arrange for a tent
outside and asked if the Rec Dept. might also have a tent they could borrow. Sebastian said he would add the
Repair Café to the Mamaroneck Green App. Sue to send press release out to our media list this week and will
follow up on ordering pizza and water for volunteers. Mark Kramer suggested looking into whether the Sierra Club
would co-sponsor and what that involves. As a reminder, the Repair Café debuts at the Mam’k Senior Center on
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Saturday, Oct. 16 from 12 noon – 4:00 pm. In addition to the repair tables, there will be live music, a children’s
corner and baked goods.
Update: Press release went out and was covered in the press. Facebook posts have continued. A sign (for the
Palmer/Weaver intersection) and banner (for the Senior Center) are both up. We have two tents available for
use, the Collabs tent that is back “living” at the Myrtle Blvd kiosk and the Rec Dept. has agreed to lend a tent and
will drop off at Senior Center.
Collabs interested in baking, please let Sue know so we can coordinate.
STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY HEALTH
Lions Club Community Service Fair
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Karen reminded the group that on Saturday, September 25 the Lions Club will host a fair, but now at just one
location -- Hommocks School Parking Lot (due to flood-relief efforts at Harbor Island). Lindsey registered us for
two tables. Pollinator Pathways will have a table at the fair too. The fair will consist of tables where residents can
stop by and learn about different initiatives and organizations in our community. Karen said we need a one-pager
describing all that the Collaborative does and a sign-up sheet for prospective volunteers. Mitch to talk to Lisa
McDonald and Ellen Silver and get a document together. Karen said Collabs would also have a table at
“Larchmont Day” where they can sell food scrap bins and talk to potential volunteers.
Update: Mitch created a one-pager document. Volunteers received several names/contact info of those
interested in volunteering with the Collaborative that Karen and Sue have contacted.
OCRA –Green App
Mitch is to send edits to Sebastian for the Green App. Discussion about making Collaborative internship process
more organized and productive. Eliza suggested we have a Collab point person to supervise/organize interns and
offered to take on this role.
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Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
2021.0914 Collab Meeting Notes
Pollinator Pathways
Libby mentioned that Kevin has been helping her with this initiative along with VoM CFTE volunteer Renee
Crabtree but they can use more volunteers. If interested in helping with Pollinator Pathways or finding our more
information about this group, please email Elizabeth (Libby) Poyet at epoyet@gmail.com. She also reported that
they have a donor who would like to plant some gardens but the donor needs to receive a proposal that includes
cost and that maintenance is the biggest part of the cost. PP will have a table at the Community Service Fair.
Libby also mentioned the new certified AGZA “Green Zone” at Kane Park in Larchmont, an under-utilized park in
Larchmont. Green Zones are certified as such by AGZA (American Green Zone Alliance) after measurable
reductions in GHG emissions and noise pollution are made. These zones model sustainable landscaping practices
by using low-impact electric equipment and hand tools for grounds maintenance.
Continuing Education Seminar on Saving Energy
Frank Owens reminded us that Collabs Marc Karrell and Nick Zuba will give a “Saving Energy” free class via Zoom
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on Monday, Oct. 4 with Larchmont Mamaroneck Center for Continuing Education. Read the details and register
for this class here: https://registration.xenegrade.com/lmcce/courseDisplay.cfm?schID=2828
Update on Food Scrap Recycling
There was discussion about how food scrap recycling continues with regard to the schools and the County. Jeff
King said he would reach out to Steve Altieri for an update on the County food scrap program. Mark K asked if his
emails noting food scrap data should come less frequently, and also does the relationship with the County change
any details?
Climate Emergency Declaration
Mitch asked that we brainstorm various topics to advise the Town on policies to minimize damage and costs next
time there is a flood emergency and that the Collabs should advocate for a “Climate Emergency Declaration”
especially in light of recent flooding events. Mitch will create a draft with ideas to suggest to Town Board.
(As background from August’s meeting -- The Climate Emergency resolution requires the municipality to look at
their codes, regulations and procedures through the lens of climate change minimization, preparation and
adaptation. Passing a Climate Emergency Declaration would potentially enable the Town to access funding that is
under an “emergency umbrella.”)
Update: The Collaborative prepared, reviewed and submitted the following to the Town Board for their review on
September 30, 2021: Cover Letter, signed by 17 Collaborative members; Town of Mamaroneck Climate Emergency
Declaration Draft; and the New Rochelle Climate Emergency Declaration legislation, approved May 2021.
Update: The Collaborative will meet with the Town Board on October 20, 2021. A major topic of discussion will be
the ToM Draft Declaration. In advance of that meeting, the Collaborative will forward to the Board, by October 15,
a list of “Immediate Action Items” that the Board could pair with the Climate Emergency Declaration.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15PM
The next meeting will be held back at our regular Senior Center location, but in a new room: Tuesday,
October 5, 2021 @ 6pm at the Mamaroneck Senior Center, “Yellow Room.” Park your car or bike in the Senior
Center lot and enter through enclosed porch in the front of the building. The yellow room is to your left.
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